Heyyyyy, everybody~! I finally finished Chapter 1. Hehe, the title makes me laugh. *smiles* I'm quite proud of that chapter title. : 3

And in this chapter, and maybe even this who story, Sawako will not be exactly the same as in the series, a.k.a., she'll be a bit OOC. Sorry about that. *pouts* But you know, I think even Sawa-chan has a bit of a rough side, just like everyone else. Also, I like to think the guys helped Sawa-chan come almost completely out of her shell, at least around them (mostly Rakuto, obviously). But of course, Shouta, Aya-chan, and Chizu-chan (and even Ryuu, etc.) gave her the first push. So yeah, that's my little rant. Hehe. Enjoy the chapter~!

P.S. I forgot to mention in the first chapter: The twin's last name is Wakano!

The Times Have Changed Us

Chapter 1: The Bacon Has Entered Hell

"Sawa~! It's time to wake up, my dear!" He's much too loud this early in the morning… "Sawa-chan~! Wake up or else…"

"Ugh…" I flipped the pillow to cover my head. "Five more minutes…" Spending so much time with my second family has greatly influenced my 'stubborn and sarcastic level' apparently. I hear a muffled giggle on my right side.

"You know, Sawa-chan, the early bird gets the worm!" I could imagine the smile growing on his face.

"Too bad I dislike worms." It was too early to be polite. Gomen, Yuniku.

"Hmph! Fine then!" He loudly turned around, stomped out of my room, and slammed the door. Oh well, at least I get to sleep in some more! I return my pillow back to its original placing and snuggle further into my comfy bed, when suddenly my door is harshly swung open, pretty much punching the wall beside it (I think the hinges may have broken off), and the sound of an air horn was a clear way off saying 'get-off-your-ass'. This, taking me by surprise, causes me to literally spring from the bed, step on a piece of dirty laundry (I really should pick it up soon…), and slip and fall back onto my bed. The damn air horn is still going.

"FINE! JUST PLEASE STOP WITH THE AIR HORN." And everything is silent. I give a silent sigh of relief and slowly sit up. Typically, I'd rub the sleep from my eyes, but I think the sound waves from the air horn did the job for me. So instead, I look towards the door to see Yuniku with the typical grin on his face.

"Mornin'!" And with that, he swiftly leaves the bedroom entrance and goes down the stairs.

"…Might as well make breakfast." Slowly I stand from my bed, pick up the dirty laundry that had earlier caused me to slip, place it in the laundry bin in the closet, and head down the stairs into the kitchen.

What a way to start the morning.

As I cook the bacon in the kitchen, I can here the guys watching The Sound of Music in the living room. I love this movie.

"So, Do, La, Far, Me, Do Re~. So, Do, La, Ti, Do, Re Do~." I smile at the nostalgia while I sing and dance along with the movie. Perhaps, I was too caught up in the song.

"Uh, Sawako…?" I see Rakuto pop out from the entrance to the kitchen. He looks concerned, I wonder why?

"What is it?" I slightly tilt my head to the side, to enhance my question, for some reason it's become a habit. Wait, that's odd… I smell something strange.

"The bacon has visited Hell." Oh, so that's what the smell is, the bacons burning! Haha… wait, the bacon, is…?

"Oh!" I quickly turn around to grab the handle of the pan and take it off the burner. "And that was the last of the bacon too…" I slightly pout my lips and look down because of the mess I caused. I hope the pan turns out all right…

The feeling of familiar lips to my right temple brings back a slight smile. I look into the blue eyes of my partner as he grabs my waist, pulling my body closer to him whilst smirking at me. "It's alright, Sawako. Why don't we go out to eat? It's been a while since we all went out together. How about the diner by the town library? They always have good breakfast, and bacon that hasn't been burnt." He winks at the last part, and chuckles after seeing my pouting/blushing expression. Even so, I gladly nod my head and give a quick peck on the lips. Better tell the others we're going out!

"Bacon~~~!" Yuniku, Rakuto, and Ongaku all simultaneously cooed as they joyfully munched on their bacon. I glanced at their silly expressions, and then giggled; it was quite hard not too. But it didn't matter much, since they were so caught up in their bacon, they didn't even noticed. So, I just looked back at my plate to see my mango and banana pancakes. Sometimes, I just really, really loved America. I'll probably regret this later… Ah, well whatever. Enjoy the now, and prepare for the future!

"Sawako."

I turned around to look at Rakuto, his blue eyes boring into my brown eyes.

"Yes, Rakuto? What is it?" I smile. "I'm not burning any bacon this time." I giggle at my own little joke. I liked to pull one every now and then.

"You… you miss Japan, don't you?" My body tensed at the question. I had a feeling that they knew, but I had planned to keep quiet. I don't want to bother them with having just a bit of homesickness. "It's been about a year and a half since you've seen your parents and friends in Japan, it's completely understandable, Sawa." He pulls me into a light embrace, my favorite.

"…Yeah." My eyes start to sting. No, no crying! No crying… "I miss home, Rakuto. I… I want to go home." I give up. The tears flow from my shuteyes, as I tighten my grip around his neck.

"Good, 'cause we were just offered a pretty solid deal just outside your hometown. They're gonna let us finish our term here, and then we can work with them there and go to one of the surrounding Universities." My arms sprung from his neck in shock and (quite roughly) landed on his firm chest, my wide eyes staring into his squinted-happy ones.

"We… we're going to move to Japan!?" I smiled, I nearly even squealed! Home! I'll get to go home! But then… "But, what about the others?"

"Well, they'll be coming as well, of course!" He beamed as he said this. He really wants to go to Japan.

"But… but do they want to go? I don't want us to accept a deal just because I miss home. I'm sure I could take a short vacation and—" He cut me off with a kiss. His lips are so soft. Yuniku must be making him use that Chap Stick daily.

"Quit being such a pessimist." He winks. Sadistic bastard. "Why don't you call your parents? Tell them you'll be home in a couple of weeks. I'm sure they'll be ecstatic." He smiles gently. Really, sometimes I wonder if has a split personality. But still, I lightly giggle and nod my head in agreement, and push his arms away from my waist and head towards the home phone.

I can't believe it. Soon, I'll be home.

Home.